Arrie is One Year Old

Today is Arrie's official birthday! I can't believe it has been a year. Last night we went to bed and I said to Braden, "A year ago tonight I'd be waking up in a couple of hours wetting my pants! I'm so glad it's not a year ago!" :) I did too - I woke up at 1:00 a.m. last year when my water broke. All day today I have been thinking about all that happened a year ago and the crazy and painful ordeal labor is. However, as the day is almost over now, I can remember the absolutely WONDERFUL parts.

I remember holding Arrie, I couldn't believe she was mine. I remember my parents and Braden's parents and all of our family being so proud and in complete awe of the new addition to our family. I mostly remember the AMAZING impact it had on me and Braden (our little family). We were so happy. I don't think either of us had ever experienced joy like we did then. I remember Braden had to work and film an event that first night with Arrie but he was going to be coming up to the hospital that night to stay the night with us. I went to sleep and Arrie did too :) and I remember Braden coming in. I wish I had that on video, but I can see it in my mind as if it was a video. He was so happy, so excited to be with us, so happy to see his little girl. It was so cool to have our family turn from 2 to 3.

We are still so very happy. We love Arrie so much. She amazes us every day - it is so wonderful to watch her grow. I thank my Heavenly Father every day for Arrie and for Braden. It is truly a miracle that we can participate in the Godly power of creation. We have the opportunity to feel a little of the love for our children that Heavenly Father has for us His children.

Happy Birthday Arrie!!! :)

Arrie's First Birthday

I can't believe it has been a whole year! One year ago today I was HUGE and waiting for our little princess to come. I am glad that experience is behind me but what a miracle came from it all. We love having Arrie in our lives. She is so fun to watch growing and learning. Today for example, she got a tea set with plastic cakes from for her birthday, and I sat down with her to have our first tea party. She was picking up the cakes and pretending she was eating them and then she would swallow and make an "ahhh" sound! It was SO cute - I didn't know she had developed a little imagination already! We had a lot of fun.

She was so fun yesterday at her birthday party. She had her own little cake and we got her down to just her diaper and panties and sat her down with her cake. We thought she'd go to town on it - she loves sweets. But she didn't! She would put her fingers in and then show everybody and then lick her fingers off! What a little lady! :)

She loved opening her presents and finding what was inside the bag or the wrapping paper. She had fun with all the attention too. I think she was a little confused with all the attention but she liked it. She didn't like the hat or the tiara we tried to put on her - but we expected that.

So, with one year spent getting to know my little girl here are things about Arrie that I love.

1. Her laugh - I love how she lets out a little scream and it's usually when she sees people (or a dog - Pogi) that she loves. I love it when "Daddy" comes home - she really screams when she sees him. Also, if you tickle her in the right place she goes CRAZY! :)

2. Dancing - Arrie gets a beat and she shakes her upper body and bounces a little.

3. Reading stories - Arrie will go and get one of her books and bring it to me. Even though she doesn't like me "reading" the story, she loves sitting on my lap and turning the pages.

4. Waking up in the morning - As long as it is on time (and not before 7:00) I love going in her room when she's awake and she is so happy when we come in to get her.

5. Walking - Arrie is a great walker and she loves to go everywhere. With that is coming more independence which I'm not sure how to handle sometimes - but she's a "Big Girl" now and it's so fun.

6. Grandmas - it's been so fun to watch my mom become a Grandma. Arrie loves both of her grandmas so much and its so fun to see her interact with them.

7. "Loves" - Arrie gives "loves" by leaning into the person (or the dog - Pogi) sideways with her mouth open until her face touches them. That is her giving "loves."

8. Learning - I already mentioned this a little, but she loves to learn. I try and be creative to help her learn. I will hide things under her crib, or in a box and she will find them. Or she has learned how to put the tiny tubs of play dough back into the tube they go in. Or teaching her where her socks go, where a hat goes, where shoes go - and then asking her where they go and she tries to put them on.

9. Being "Mommy" - I love being her mommy. I love knowing she is my little girl and that she loves me so much. I get intimidated sometimes knowing all I need to teach her and knowing how much she will need me as she grows up - and also knowing how at times she won't need me and I'll want her to. But it is truly a holy and the best calling in life. I am so grateful to have Braden as her "Daddy" and my husband to help raise her. I LOVE being "Mommy".

Well, here are pictures from her birthday.

And then Braden's parents went to a concert the other night and got all the grand kids
these fun tie-die shirts!

Grandma Andersen's 90th Birthday

Last Sunday was Grandma Andersen's 90th Birthday! We all went to see her with her all time favorite Wacky Cake! (You can get the recipe below if you want to try it). She is doing so great. We got there just as they were serving dinner so all of the residents and nurses that could have cake got a piece too! Everyone sang Happy Birthday and mom helped Grandma blow out her candle. Grandma had balloons on her wheelchair from Pat and Denny and also us. I don't think anyone didn't know it was her birthday! :) Arrie LOVED the balloons and gave Grandma "loves" - she is very good at that. I have gone to see Grandma once this week since then and she laughs when you give her hugs and I gave her lots of kisses all at once and she said, "Gosh..." and then laughed - it was like I had my Grandma back for a second. Well, enjoy the pics.